# dabble

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈdæb.əl/ · frequency rank #42,590

## Definitions
1. To make slightly wet or soiled by spattering or sprinkling a liquid (such as water, mud, or paint) on it; to bedabble.
2. To cause splashing by moving a body part like a bill or limb in soft mud, water, etc., often playfully; to play in shallow water; to paddle.
3. To feed without diving, by submerging the head and neck underwater to seek food, often also tipping up the tail straight upwards above the water.
4. To participate or have an interest in an activity in a casual or superficial way.
5. To interfere or meddle in; to tamper with.

## Etymology
From earlier dable, equivalent to dab + -le (frequentative suffix), possibly from Middle Dutch dabbelen (“to pinch; knead; to fumble; to dabble”); cognate with Icelandic dafla (“to dabble”).

## Easily confused with
- **dale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dabble-vs-dale)
- **double** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dabble-vs-double)
- **Debbie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dabble-vs-debbie)
- **doable** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dabble-vs-doable)
- **dazzle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dabble-vs-dazzle)
- **dangle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dabble-vs-dangle)
- **dribble** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dabble-vs-dribble)

## Common misspellings (7)
`adbble`, `dabbel`, `dabblle`, `dablbe`, `dable`, `dbable`, `ddabble`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dabble